Viridian Claw MTG Card

The Viridian Claw offers potential card advantage by boosting creature attack without card trades. Equips at two mana for quick resource acceleration, making early-game plays more aggressive. Instant speed equip adds flexibility, allowing for strategic reactions during opponent’s turns.

Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
2011-02-04 - Number 143

Viridian Claw - Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)

Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)
2011-05-14 - Number 27

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +1/+0 and has first strike. Equip

"Phyrexians can't corrupt what they can't get close enough to touch."

Cards like Viridian Claw

The Viridian Claw is a unique artifact equipment within Magic: The Gathering that offers a solid buff to creatures it equips. It bears similarities to cards like Bonesplitter, a classic option that also provides a power boost with a lower equip cost. However, Viridian Claw sets itself apart by granting the first strike ability, tipping combat interactions in favor of the wielder. Whereas Bonesplitter solely increases the attack potential, the addition of first strike with Viridian Claw may shift the outcome of battles substantially, giving creatures an edge by striking first during combat.

Looking to other comparable equipment, Trusty Machete also elevates a creature’s stats but with a balanced approach, enhancing both power and toughness. Viridian Claw, on the other hand, specializes in boosting offensive capabilities with its first strike feature. Additionally, the Grafted Wargear is a competitive alternative, offering a significant power and toughness boost. Nevertheless, the forced sacrifice when it becomes unattached makes the Viridian Claw a safer and more dependable choice in many decks.

In sum, Viridian Claw holds its ground in MTG as an artifact that can decisively influence combat by bolstering not just the strength but also the tactical advantage of creatures it equips.

Cards similar to Viridian Claw by color, type and mana cost

Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Viridian Claw MTG card has a unique ability that can indirectly lead to card advantage. By boosting creatures’ attack power, it enables those creatures to take down larger threats without trading, potentially preserving your cards on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact equips for only two mana, ensuring you can ramp up the aggression early in the game. The low equip cost means you’re using resources efficiently, staying ahead of the curve.

Instant Speed: While the Viridian Claw itself isn’t cast at instant speed, its ability to equip at any point you could cast an instant adds a strategic edge. You can adapt to the ever-changing battlefield quickly, giving your creature the power boost for surprise blocks or before damage is dealt during combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Viridian Claw doesn’t require you to discard cards, so this common con does not apply in this case, keeping your hand intact as you play it.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact equips for a single green mana, which might not be readily available in decks not focused on green mana resources, limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial investment of two mana and the additional cost to equip, some players may find the Viridian Claw’s overall mana demand steep compared to other equipment that provides similar buffs or has additional abilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Viridian Claw is a flexible equipment card that can be easily slotted into numerous deck types. It’s particularly useful in decks that aim to boost smaller creatures or ensure creature survivability in combat.

Combo Potential: This card has the ability to combo with creatures that have beneficial attack triggers or with those that benefit from having higher power. The first strike ability granted by Viridian Claw makes it a valuable asset for initiating or defending critical combat encounters.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creature strategies are prevalent, Viridian Claw helps your creatures outmatch opponents in combat by providing a crucial power boost and the tactical advantage of first strike. This can be game-changing especially in limited formats or specific constructed formats where combat interactions are key.

How to beat

The Viridian Claw is a notable artifact for boosting creature performance in MTG. Its ability to provide a bump in power and the crucial first strike attribute can turn the tides during combat phases, especially in matches that hinge on creature-based skirmishes. To counteract this, it’s essential to employ removal strategies or artifact destruction spells that can handle these types of threats efficiently.

Artifact removal like Nature’s Claim or the versatile Disenchant can dispatch Viridian Claw quickly, negating its advantage and preserving your standing in the game. Consider prioritizing removal spells in your sideboard tailored to dismantle artifacts, or employ creatures with abilities that naturally deal with artifacts to maintain a balanced battlefield. It’s also effective to use bounce spells to return the buffed creature to its owner’s hand, effectively removing the Claw’s immediate impact and requiring your opponent to reinvest mana to replay and reequip it, stalling their momentum and giving you a strategic edge in resource management.

Understanding your options and staying one step ahead of artifact threats like the Viridian Claw can make all the difference in swinging the game in your favor and maintaining control. Anticipate the play, adapt your strategy, and dismantle the enhancements to emerge victorious.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Viridian Claw MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Viridian Claw and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Viridian Claw Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2011-05-14. Illustrated by Marc Simonetti.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2011-02-04	Mirrodin Besieged	MBS		143	2003	Normal	Black	Marc Simonetti
2	2011-05-14	Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia	TD2		27	2003	Normal	Black	Marc Simonetti

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Viridian Claw has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal